Nourishing composition for animals

Abstract: A nourishing composition for animals which comprises an aqueous solution containing (1) at least one of dextrin and sugar alcohols, and (2) amino acids. When given to animals together with drinking water, the nourishing composition for animals according to the present invention can improve the nutritional conditions of the animals without causing browning in the aqueous solution.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a nourishing composition for animals which is useful in improving the nutritional conditions of animals when given together with drinking water. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In summer, domestic animals generally drink much water but show decreased appetite, which causes various problems, for example, in the case of pig etc., stagnation in body weight gain and reduction of mating performance, in the case of broiler etc., stagnation in body weight gain, in the case of layer etc., reduction of egg laying performance, decrease in egg shell strength and increase in the ratio of soft/broken shell eggs. Further, problems such as stagnation in body weight gain may occur at the time of the shipment of broilers, the transfer of large layer chicks, the debeaking of layers, forced moulting of layers, the change of the feed for layers or broilers, the first feeding of the new-born layers or broilers, vaccination of layers or broilers, farrowing and weaning of piglings and the shipment of mother pigs. To prevent these problems, attempts have been made to add nutritional components such as amino acids to feeds to thereby improve the nutritional conditions of domestic animals. Even if nutritional components such as amino acids are added to feeds, however, the decreased appetite makes it impossible to achieve the desired effects. In addition, feed remaining in the digestive organs of pork type pigs, broilers etc. at dressing contravenes the Food Hygiene Law. It is therefore necessary to omit feed and give only water to domestic animals from the day before shipment. Accordingly, it is expected that when nutritional components including amino acids are added to drinking water, then the nutritional conditions of domestic animals can be maintained or improved even though they show decreased appetite or are fasting. JP-A-2-255047 has proposed a method for improving the amino acid uptake of an animal by orally administering a liquid composition comprising amino acids together with other nutritional components, for example, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and enzymes (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"). However, the composition disclosed in the above publication suffers from several disadvantages, for example that a sufficient amount of amino acids can be hardly dissolved in the composition and that glucose, which is one of the carbohydrates employed as an additive, undergoes aminocarbonylation with the amino acids in an aqueous solution resulting in browning or solidification of the feed aqueous solution. EP 0 090 356 discloses a method of stabilising a solid composition containing a monosaccharide or/and a disaccharide and an amino acid by incorporating a polysaccharide with a water content of not more than 3%. EP 0 540 421 relates to indigestible dextrins prepared from potato starch. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims at providing a nourishing composition for animals containing (1) dextrin and (2) amino acids where the amino acids are dissolved in a sufficient amount and never undergo aminocarbonylation even though the composition is formulated into an aqueous solution. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a nourishing composition for animals which comprises an aqueous solution containing (1) dextrin and (2) at least one amino acid. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Fig. 1 shows an operation schedule for transferring large layer chicks. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As the dextrin, those having a degree of polymerization ranging from 3 to 30, preferably from 5 to 25, may be used. The amino acid (or acids) used in the present invention is not particularly restricted, so long as it is one required by animals. It is particularly preferable to use essential amino acids such as lysine, methionine, tryptophan, threonine, alanine, glycine and glutamic acid. The amino acid content in the nourishing composition for animals according to the present invention ranges from 0.001 to 5.0 % by weight, preferably from 0.003 to 2.0 % by weight (dry basis). For example, the contents of lysine, methionine, tryptophan, threonine, glutamatic acid, glycine and alanine preferably range respectively from 0.002 to 2.0 % by weight, from 0.003 to 0.8 % by weight, from 0.001 to 0.3 % by weight, from 0.001 to 0.4 % by weight, from 0.005 to 2.0 % by weight, from 0.005 to 2.0 % by weight and from 0.005 to 2.0 % by weight. The content of dextrin or sugar alcohols ranges from 0.0005 to 10.0 % by weight, preferably 0.001 to 0.8 % by weight. The nourishing composition for animals of the present invention may contain additional components such as dissolution aids, dispersing agents, stabilizers, preservatives, antibiotics and antioxidants. Also, it may contain proteinous materials such as soluble soybean protein, soluble fish protein, soluble gelatin and defatted milk powder, organic acids such as citric acid, malic acid and succinic acid, vitamins, minerals, ethyl alcohol, colorants and perfumes. It is preferable to use organic acids from among these additives, since they exhibit a buffering action in the solution, improve the appetite and play a role as a metabolite in the TCA cycle in vivo so as to serve as an energy source. The nourishing composition for animals according to the present invention can be produced by mixing amino acids with dextrin, and then dissolving the obtained mixture in water or an aqueous solution containing an organic solvent, which exerts no undesirable effects on animals, such as ethyl alcohol. The particle size (diameter) of the amino acids to be used in the formulation ranges from 1.0 to 500 µm. For example, the particle sizes of lysine, methionine, tryptophan, threonine, glutamatic acid, glycine and alanine preferably range respectively from 1.0 to 500 µm, from 1.0 to 200 µm, from 1.0 to 200 µm, from 1.0 to 500 µm, from 1.0 to 500 µm, from 1.0 to 500 µm and from 1.0 to 500 µm. It is preferable that the dissolution or suspending is carried out immediately before use. The nourishing composition for animals of the present invention may be given to, for example, poultry such as layer and broiler, monogastric animals such as pig and ruminants such as cattle and sheep. The nourishing composition for animals of the present invention may be given to the animals ad libitum . Alternately, it may be orally given to them by force. The dose may range from 10 to 1,000 mg/kg/day in terms of amino acids and from 5 to 1,000 mg/kg/day in terms of dextrin or sugar alcohols. The compositions of the invention may be given as a single or divided administration. Although the nourishing composition for animals according to the present invention is in the form of an aqueous solution, it never causes aminocarbonylation between sugars and amino acids and the aqueous solution undergoes neither browning nor solidification. Thus the nourishing composition for animals of the present invention makes it possible to increase amino acid uptake thus improving the nutritional conditions of animals. The nourishing composition for animals of the present invention is useful in, for example, the shipment of broilers, the transfer of large layer chicks, the debeaking of layers, forced moulting of layers, feeding layers or broilers during the summer season, the change of the feed for layers or broilers, the first feeding of the new-born layers or broilers, vaccination of layers or broilers, farrowing, weaning of piglings, weight-maintenance of mother pigs at the shipment, prevention of body weight loss and reduction in mortality. Next, working examples and test examples of the present invention will be given. Lysine, tryptophan, threonine and glutamic acid employed in the following examples were all L-compounds, while methionine and alanine employed therein were all DL-compounds. As the amino acids to be used in the present invention, mention may be made of D-form, L-form and DL-form. Compositions 24, 25, 27-31 are not embodiments of the invention according to the present claims. EXAMPLE 1 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, glycine, dextrin (degree of polymerization: 15.1; NSD 300 manufactured by Nippon Shiryo Kogyo Co.) and citric acid were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 1 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 20 1 of water. The obtained solution was diluted 15-fold with the use of a proportional liquid dispenser (Dosatron, a product of Dosatron International). Thus nourishing compositions 1, 2 and 3 for animals were obtained. Component Composition 1 (g) Composition 2 (g) Composition 3 (g) lysine 40 80 160 methionine 15 30 60 threonine 20 40 80 tryptophan 15 30 60 glycine 100 200 400 dextrin 300 610 1230 citric acid 10 10 10 total 500 1000 2000 EXAMPLE 2 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, dextrin (degree of polymerization: 15.1; NSD 300 manufactured by Nippon Shiryo Kogyo Co.), citric acid and vitamins were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 2 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in-20 1 of water. The obtained solution was diluted 15-fold with the use of a proportional liquid dispenser (Dosatron, a product of Dosatron International). Thus nourishing compositions 4, 5 and 6 for animals were obtained. The vitamins used herein was a composition prepared by mixing the vitamins as specified in Table 3 and adding dextrin thereto in such a manner as to give a total amount of 10 g. Component Composition 4 (g) Composition 5 (g) Composition 6 (g) lysine 10 20 40 methionine 6 15 25 threonine 3 5 10 tryptophan 1 3 5 dextrin 10 17 20 citric acid 5 10 10 vitamin 10 10 10 total 45 80 120 Compound Content (mg) Compound Content (mg) thiamine 50.0 biotin 2.0 riboflavin 100.0 choline 9000.0 pantothenic acid 200.0 folic acid 10.0 nicotinic acid 200.0 vitamin B 12 0.2 vitamin B 6 40.0 linoleic acid 20.0 EXAMPLE 3 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, dextrin (degree of polymerization: 15.1; NSD 300 manufactured by Nippon Shiryo Kogyo Co.), citric acid and vitamins were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 4 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 30 l of water. The obtained solution was diluted 10-fold with the use of a proportional liquid dispenser (Dosatron, a product of Dosatron International). Thus nourishing compositions 7 and 8 for animals were obtained. The vitamins used herein was a composition prepared by mixing the vitamins as specified in Table 5 and adding dextrin thereto to give a total amount of 10 g. Component Composition 7 (g) Composition 8 (g) lysine 10 30 methionine 30 65 threonine 5 10 tryptophan 10 30 dextrin 35 45 citric acid 10 10 vitamin 10 10 total 120 200 Compound Content (mg) Compound Content (mg) thiamine 80.0 biotin 10.0 riboflavin 220.0 choline 8000.0 pantothenic acid 220.0 folic acid 2.5 nicotinic acid 1000.0 vitamin B 12 0.3 vitamin B 6 300.0 linoleic acid 10.0 EXAMPLE 4 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, glycine, dextrin (degree of polymerization: 15.1; NSD 300 manufactured by Nippon Shiryo Kogyo Co.), citric acid and vitamins were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 6 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 20 l of water. The obtained solution was diluted 10-fold with the use of a proportional liquid dispenser (Dosatron, a product of Dosatron International). Thus nourishing compositions 9 to 11 for animals were obtained. The vitamins used herein was prepared by mixing the vitamins as specified in Table 7 and adding dextrin thereto to give a total amount of 10 g. Component Composition 9 (g) Composition 10 (g) Composition 11 (g) lysine 15 30 60 methionine 10 20 40 threonine 10 20 40 tryptophan 3 5 10 glycine 40 75 150 dextrin 102 230 480 citric acid 10 10 10 vitamin 10 10 10 total 200 400 800 Compound Content (mg) Compound Content (mg) thiamine 260.0 biotin 20.0 riboflavin 360.0 choline 4000.0 pantothenic acid 2000.0 folic acid 50.0 nicotinic acid 2200.0 vitamin B 12 1.0 vitamin B 6 600.0 linoleic acid 160.0 EXAMPLE 5 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, glycine, dextrin (degree of polymerization: 15.1; NSD 300 manufactured by Nippon Shiryo Kogyo Co.), citric acid and vitamins were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 8 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 20 l of water. The obtained solution was diluted 10-fold with the use of a proportional liquid dispenser (Dosatron, a product of Dosatron International). Thus nourishing compositions 12 to 14 for animals were obtained. The vitamins used herein was prepared by mixing the vitamins as specified in Table 9 and adding dextrin thereto to give a total amount of 10 g. Component Composition 12 (g) Composition 13 (g) Composition 14 (g) lysine 30 60 120 methionine 20 40 80 threonine 20 40 80 tryptophan 5 10 20 glycine 75 150 300 dextrin 230 480 980 citric acid 10 10 10 vitamin 10 10 10 total 400 800 1600 Compound Content (mg) Compound Content (mg) thiamine 80.0 biotin 10.0 riboflavin 220.0 choline 7500.0 pantothenic acid 220.0 folic acid 2.5 nicotinic acid 1000.0 vitamin B 12 0.3 vitamin B 6 300.0 linoleic acid 100.0 EXAMPLE 6 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, glycine, dextrin (degree of polymerization: 15.1; NSD 300 manufactured by Nippon Shiryo Kogyo Co.), citric acid and vitamins were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 10 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 20 l of water. Thus, nourishing compositions 15 to 17 for animals were obtained. The vitamins used herein was prepared by mixing the vitamins as specified in Table 11 and adding dextrin thereto to give a total amount of 2 g. Component Composition 15 (g) Composition 16 (g) Composition 17 (g) lysine 4 8 16 methionine 2 4 8 threonine 3 6 12 tryptophan 1 2 4 glycine 2 4 8 dextrin 34 72 148 citric acid 2 2 2 vitamin 2 2 2 total 50 100 200 Compound Content (mg) Compound Content (mg) thiamine 1.0 biotin 0.2 riboflavin 3.75 choline 1250.0 pantothenic acid 12.0 folic acid 0.3 nicotinic acid 10.0 vitamin B 12 0.02 vitamin B 6 1.0 EXAMPLE 7 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, dextrin (degree of polymerization: 15.1; NSD 300 manufactured by Nippon Shiryo Kogyo Co.), citric acid and vitamins were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 12 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 20 l of water. The obtained solution was diluted 2-fold with the use of a proportional liquid dispenser (Dosatron, a product of Dosatron International). Thus nourishing compositions 18 to 20 for animals were obtained. The vitamins used herein was prepared by mixing the vitamins as specified in Table 13 and adding dextrin thereto to give a total amount of 1 g. Component Composition 18 (g) Composition 19 (g) Composition 20 (g) lysine 4.5 9.0 18.0 methionine 2.2 4.5 9.0 threonine 2.6 5.2 10.5 tryptophan 0.8 1.6 3.2 dextrin 2.9 2.7 7.3 citric acid 1.0 1.0 1.0 vitamin 1.0 1.0 1.0 total 15.0 25.0 50.0 Compound Content (mg) Compound Content (mg) thiamine 10.5 biotin 0.5 riboflavin 31.6 choline 4200.0 pantothenic acid 95.0 folic acid 3.2 nicotinic acid 130.2 vitamin B 12 0.2 vitamin B 6 15.8 EXAMPLE 8 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, glycine, dextrin (degree of polymerization: 15.1; NSD 300 manufactured by Nippon Shiryo Kogyo Co.) and citric acid were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 14 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 10 l of water. The obtained solution was diluted 10-fold with the use of a proportional liquid dispenser (Dosatron, a product of Dosatron International). Thus nourishing compositions 21 to 23 for animals were obtained. Component Composition 21 (g) Composition 22 (g) Composition 23 (g) lysine 10 13 15 methionine 5 6.5 8 threonine 7 8 9 tryptophan 2 2.5 3 glycine 20 25 30 dextrin 146 235 325 citric acid 10 10 10 total 200 300 400 EXAMPLE 9 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, glycine, glucose, fructose, dextrin (degree of polymerization: 15.1; NSD 300 manufactured by Nippon Shiryo Kogyo Co.) and citric acid were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 15 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 1 l of water. Thus nourishing compositions 24 to 27 for animals were obtained. Component Composition 24 (g) Composition 25 (g) Composition 26 (g) Composition 27 (g) lysine 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 methionine 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 threonine 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 tryptophan 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 glycine 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 glucose 0.50 - - 0.40 fructose - 0.50 - - dextrin - - 0.50 - citric acid 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 EXAMPLE 10 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, sorbitol citric acid and vitamins were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 16 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 20 l of water. The obtained solution was diluted 15-fold with the use of a proportional liquid dispenser (Dosatron, a product of Dosatron International). Thus nourishing compositions 28 and 29 for animals were obtained. The vitamins used herein was a composition prepared by mixing the vitamins as specified in Table 3 above and adding sorbitol thereto in such a manner as to give a total amount of 10 g. Component Composition 28 (g) Composition 29 (g) lysine 30 60 methionine 15 30 threonine 15 30 tryptophan 5 10 sorbitol 10 20 citric acid 10 20 vitamin 5 10 total 90 180 EXAMPLE 11 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, sorbitol, citric acid and vitamins were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 17 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 10 l of water. The obtained solution was diluted 10-fold with the use of a proportional liquid dispenser (Dosatron, a product of Dosatron International). Thus nourishing compositions 30 and 31 for animals were obtained. The vitamins used herein was a composition prepared by mixing the vitamins as specified in Table 18 and adding sorbitol thereto to give a total amount of 10 g. Component Composition 30 (g) Composition 31 (g) lysine 10 20 methionine 5 10 threonine 5 10 tryptophan 2.5 5 sorbitol 12.5 25 citric acid 2.5 5 vitamin 2.5 5 total 40 80 Compound Content (mg) Compound Content (mg) thiamine 15.0 biotin 0.5 riboflavin 25.0 choline 1500.0 pantothenic acid 50.0 folic acid 2.5 nicotinic acid 50.0 vitamin B 12 0.1 vitamin B 6 10.0 linoleic acid 5.0 EXAMPLE 12 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, dextrin (degree of polymerization: 15.1; NSD 300 manufactured by Nippon Shiryo Kogyo Co.) citric acid and vitamins were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 19 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 30 l of water. The obtained solution was diluted 10-fold with the use of a proportional liquid dispenser (Dosatron, a product of Dosatron International). Thus nourishing compositions 32 and 33 for animals were obtained. The vitamins used herein was prepared by mixing the vitamins as specified in Table 5 above and adding dextrin thereto to give a total amount of 10 g. Component Composition 32 (g) Composition 33 (g) lysine 20 30 methionine 30 65 threonine 5 10 tryptophan 10 30 dextrin 35 45 citric acid 10 10 vitamin 10 10 total 120 200 EXAMPLE 13 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, dextrin (degree of polymerization: 15.1; NSD 300 manufactured by Nippon Shiryo Kogyo Co.), citric acid and vitamins were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 20 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 20 l of water. The obtained solution was diluted 15-fold with the use of a proportional liquid dispenser (Dosatron, a product of Dosatron International). Thus nourishing composition 34 for animals were obtained. The vitamins used herein was prepared by mixing the vitamins as specified in Table 3 above and adding dextrin thereto to give a total amount of 10 g. Component Composition 34 (g) lysine 60 methionine 30 threonine 30 tryptophan 10 dextrin 20 citric acid 20 vitamin 10 total 180 EXAMPLE 14 Lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, dextrin (degree of polymerization: 15.1; NSD 300 manufactured by Nippon Shiryo Kogyo Co.), citric acid and vitamins were mixed together at each ratio as specified in Table 21 and the resulting mixture was dissolved in 20 l of water. The obtained solution was diluted 10-fold with the use of a proportional liquid dispenser (Dosatron, a product of Dosatron International). Thus nourishing composition 35 for animals was obtained. The vitamins used herein was prepared by mixing the vitamins as specified in Table 22 and adding dextrin thereto to give a total amount of 10 g. Component Composition 35 (g) lysine 60 methionine 40 threonine 40 tryptophan 10 dextrin 20 citric acid 10 vitamin 10 total 200 Compound Content (mg) Compound Content (mg) thiamine 260.0 biotin 20.0 riboflavin 360.0 choline 9000.0 pantothenic acid 2000.0 folic acid 50.0 nicotinic acid 2200.0 vitamin B 12 1.0 vitamin B 6 600.0 linoleic acid 160.0 TEST EXAMPLE 1 Broilers aged 56 days were divided into 4 groups each having 1,000 birds and fasted for 15 hours and 30 minutes before the shipment. During the fasting period, the nourishing compositions 1 to 3 obtained in Example 1 and water (as a control) were given respectively to the groups. The average body weight and the number of dead birds of each group were measured at the initiation of the test and after the completion thereof. Thus the body weight loss and mortality were calculated. Table 23 shows the results. Composition 1 Composition 2 Composition 3 Control Body weight before test (g) 2958 2983 2978 2977 Body weight after test (g) 2880 2926 2940 2882 Body weight loss (g) 78 57 38 95 Body weight loss (%) 2.63 1.91 1.27 3.19 Mortality (%) 2.0 1.2 0.8 3.2 As Table 23 shows, the nourishing compositions 1 to 3 for animals according to the present invention each suppressed the body weight loss and lowered the mortality, compared with the control. TEST EXAMPLE 2 When the temperature was high in the summer season, broilers aged 35 days were divided into 4 groups each having 1,000 birds and fed with a common feed for 35 days. During this period, the nourishing compositions 4 to 6 obtained in Example 2 and water (as a control) were given to the birds. The average body weight and the number of missing (dead) birds were measured at the initiation of the test and after the completion thereof. Thus the raising rate [(number of birds before test - number of missing birds)/number of birds before test], the feed conversion rate (feed intake/body weight gain), the meat productivity [(average body weight/feed conversion rate) x 100] and the broiler production score (PS) were calculated. PS was calculated in accordance with the following formula. PS = body weight after test x raising rate feed conversion rate x test period (days) x 100. Table 24 shows the results. Composition 4 Composition 5 Composition 6 Control No. of missing birds 15 10 5 20 Raising rate (Z) 98.5 99.0 99.5 98.0 Body weight before test (g) 663 665 638 668 Body weight after test (g) 2869 2892 2955 2837 Body weight gain (g) 2206 2227 2317 2169 Daily body weight gain (g) 63.0 63.6 66.2 62.0 Feed conversion rate (Z) 2.34 2.30 2.29 2.38 Meat productivity (%) 123 126 129 119 PS 215 222 229 209 As Table 24 shows, the nourishing compositions 4 to 6 for animals according to the present invention each decreased the number of missing birds and elevated the raising rate, the feed conversion rate and PS, compared with the control. TEST EXAMPLE 3 When the temperature was high in the summer season, layers aged 30 weeks were divided into 3 groups each having 1,000 birds and fed with a common feed for 8 weeks. During this period, the nourishing compositions 7 and 8 obtained in Example 3 and water (as a control) were given to the birds. After the completion of the test, the normal egg laying rate, the individual egg weight, the daily egg weight (individual egg weight x normal egg laying rate), the feed intake, the feed conversion rate [(feed intake/daily egg weight) x 100] and the soft/broken egg rate were calculated. Also, regarding the egg qualities, the dense albumen height (the height of dense albumen at breaking) and the yolk diameter of each group were measured and thus the Haugt unit (HU) was calculated. Tables 25 and 26 show the results. Composition 7 Composition 8 Control Normal egg laying rate (%) 87.8 88.8 87.3 Individual egg weight (g) 59.3 59.1 59.6 Daily egg weight (g) 52.1 52.5 52.0 Feed intake (g) 100.0 99.8 100.8 Feed conversion rate (%) 1.92 1.90 1.94 Soft/broken egg rate (%) 2.2 2.0 2.2 Composition 7 Composition 8 Control Dense albumen height (mm) 5.58 6.28 5.52 Yolk diameter (cm) 4.10 4.16 4.09 HU 71.5 77.6 71.3 As the above Tables 25 and 26 show, the nourishing compositions 7 and 8 for animals according to the present invention each elevated the normal egg laying ratio and the daily egg weight and lowered the soft/broken egg ratio, compared with the control. As the results of the examination on the egg qualities, it was found out that the nourishing compositions 7 and 8 of the present invention each elevated the dense albumen height, the yolk diameter and HU. TEST EXAMPLE 4 Large layer chicks aged 130 days were divided into 4 groups each having 1,000 birds and then transferred in accordance with the working schedule given in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the nourishing compositions 9 to 11 for animals obtained in Example 4 and water as a control were administered to the birds with the use of nipple drinkers attached to gauges both in the brooding and egg-laying houses. The feeding was performed for about 12 hours (from the initiation of fasting to bird trapping/packing) in the brooding house and then for about 2 days from the initiation of feeding of water after transferring the chicks into the egg-laying house. Table 27 shows the body weights before and after the transfer, the body weight loss and the time (days) required for the recovery of the body weight. Composition 9 Composition 10 Composition 11 Control Body weight before transfer (g) 1304 1299 1302 1300 Body weight after transfer (g) 1184 1199 1220 1157 Body weight loss (g) 120 100 92 133 Body weight loss (%) 9.2 7.7 7.1 10.2 Recovery time (days) 4 3 3 5 As Table 27 shows, the nourishing compositions 9 to 11 for animals according to the present invention each suppressed the body weight loss and shortened the time required for the recovery of the body weight, compared with the control. TEST EXAMPLE 5 Layers aged 12 months were divided into 4 groups each having 1,000 birds. After fasting for 15 days in order to force the bird to moult, water was also not given for 1 day to stress them. Five to 7 days after the initiation of fasting, small feathers fell out. After 10 to 13 days, feathers in the main wings fell out too. After 2 weeks from the initiation of fasting, feeding was initiated. For 3 weeks following the initiation of feeding, the nourishing compositions 12 to 14 for animals obtained in Example 5 and water (as a control) were given to the birds. Table 28 shows the time (days) required for starting normal egg-laying again after the initiation of feeding (egg-laying starting day after resumption of feeding), the time (days) required for an egg-laying rate achieving 50% of that before moulting (day achieving 50% egg-laying) and the egg-laying peak (the maximum egg-laying rate) of each group. Composition 12 Composition 13 Composition 14 Control Egg-laying starting day after resumption of feeding (days) 10 10 9 11 Day achieving 50% egg-laying rate 31 30 30 33 Egg-laying peak (%) 83 85 85 82 As Table 28 shows, the nourishing compositions 12 to 14 for animals according to the present invention each shortened the time required for starting egg-laying again and the time required for an egg-laying rate achieving 50% of that before moulting and improved the egg-laying peak, compared with the control. TEST EXAMPLE 6 Mother pigs with the third farrowing were divided into 4 groups each having 5 animals. From 5 to 7 days before farrowing to 3 weeks thereafter, the nourishing compositions 15 to 17 for animals obtained in Example 6 and water (as a control) were given respectively to the groups. The days with puerperal fever of 41 °C or above, the maximum body temperature, the number of piglings, the number of piglings with diarrhea, the number of weanlings and the average body weight at weaning of each group were measured. Table 29 shows the results. Composition 15 Composition 16 Composition 17 Control Days with puerperal fever of 41°C or above 2 0 0 3 Maximum body temp. (°C) 41.7 40.7 40.5 42.2 No. of piglings 53 52 54 54 No. of piglings with diarrhea 9 6 4 12 No. of weanlings 47 48 50 47 Average body weight at weaning (kg) 6.8 7.0 7.2 6.4 As Table 29 shows, the nourishing compositions 15 to 17 for animals according to the present invention each improved the days with puerperal fever of 41°C or above, the maximum body temperature, the number of piglings, the number of piglings with diarrhea, the number of weanlings and the average body weight at weaning, compared with the control. TEST EXAMPLE 7 Piglings farrowed by mother pigs of the third farrowing were divided into 4 groups each having 30 animals. For 40 days starting from 10 days before weaning to 30 days after weaning, the nourishing compositions 18 to 20 for animals obtained in Example 7 and water (as a control) were given respectively to the groups. The body weight at weaning, the body weight 30 days after weaning, the body weight gain and the average feed intake of each group were measured and the feed conversion rate was calculated. Table 30 shows the results. Composition 18 Composition 19 Composition 20 Control Body weight at weaning (kg) 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.1 Body weight 30 days after weaning (kg) 25.6 26.2 26.4 24.9 Body weight gain (kg) 18.5 19.1 19.3 17.8 Average feed intake (kg) 31.6 32.3 32.4 30.6 Feed conversion rate (%) 1.71 1.69 1.68 1.72 As Table 30 shows, groups fed with the nourishing compositions 18 t0 20 for animals of the present invention showed each a large body weight gain after weaning and a decrease in the feed conversion rate, compared with the control. TEST EXAMPLE 8 Hogs aged 105 days and weighing 110 kg were divided into 4 groups each having 20 animals and fasted for 24 hours before the shipment. Simultaneously with the initiation of fasting, the nourishing compositions 21 to 23 for animals obtained in the above Example 8 and water (as a control) were given respectively to the groups. Each animal was weighed before and after the test to determine the average body weight of animals of each group and the body weight loss was calculated. Table 31 shows the results. Composition 21 Composition 22 Composition 23 Control Body weight before test (kg) 110.0 110.0 110.0 110.0 Body weight after test (kg) 108.6 108.8 108.0 108.2 Body weight loss 1.4 1.2 1.0 1.8 Body weight loss (%) 1.3 1.1 0.9 1.6 As Table 31 shows, the groups fed with the nourishing compositions 21 to 23 for animals of the present invention showed each a decreased body weight loss, compared with the control. TEST EXAMPLE 9 The nourishing compositions 24 to 27 for animals obtained in Example 9 were allowed to stand at 40 °C under a humidity of 75 % and the conditions of each solution were observed. Table 32 shows the results. Time Composition 24 Composition 25 Composition 26 Composition 27 Day 2 Turning to yellow with forming small masses Becoming powdery No change Turning to yellow with forming large masses Day 5 Enlarging yellow masses Becoming coarse No change Forming a brown mass as a whole Day 7 The same as day 5 The same as day 5 No change The same as day 5 As Table 32 shows, the nourishing compositions 24, 25 and 27 containing glucose or fructose as a sugar underwent browning. In contrast, the nourishing composition 26 of the present invention containing dextrin as a sugar suffered from no browning even after 7 days. TEST EXAMPLE 10 Broilers aged 28 days were divided into 3 groups each having 1,000 birds and fed with a common feed for 5 days. During this period, the nourishing compositions 28 and 29 obtained in Example 10 and water (as a control) were given to the birds. The average body weight and the number of missing dead birds were measured at the initiation of the test (at the age of 28-days) and at the age of 35 and 42 days. Thus the raising rate was calculated in the same manner as in Test Example 2. Table 33 shows the results. Composition 28 Composition 29 Control No. of dead birds 25 20 36 Raising rate (%) 97.5 98.0 96.4 Body weight at the age of 28 days (g) 972 967 982 Body weight at the age of 35 days (g) 1400 1402 1394 Body weight at the age of 42 days (g) 1798 1828 1768 Body weight gain (g) 826 861 786 Daily body weight gain (g) 59.0 61.5 56.1 As Table 33 shows, the nourishing compositions 28 and 29 for animals according to the present invention each decreased the number of dead birds and elevated the raising rate, compared with the control. TEST EXAMPLE 11 Healthy new-born chicks hatched from hatchery eggs laid by breeding hens aged 41 weeks and 44 weeks were divided into 3 groups each having 1,000 birds and fed with the nourishing compositions 30 to 31 obtained in Example 11 and water (as a control) were given to the birds for 7 days. The average body weight and the number of dead birds were measured at the initiation of the test (at the hatch) and at the age of 7 and 14 days. Thus the raising rate was calculated in the same manner as in Test Example 2. Table 34 shows the results. Composition 30 Composition 31 Control No. of dead birds 10 8 16 Raising rate (%) 99.0 99.2 98.4 Body weight at the hatch (g) 41 40 42 Body weight at the age of 7 days (g) 144 146 142 Body weight at the age of 14 days (g) 412 420 404 Body weight gain (g) 371 380 362 Daily body weight gain (g) 28.5 29.2 27.8 As Table 34 shows, the nourishing composition 30 and 31 for animals according to the present invention each decreased the number of dead birds and elevated the raising rate, compared with the control. TEST EXAMPLE 12 When the temperature was high in the summer season, breeding hens aged 27 weeks were divided into 3 groups each having 1,000 birds and fed with a common feed for 6 weeks. During this period, the nourishing compositions 32 and 33 obtained in Example 12 and water (as a control) were given to the birds. After the completion of the test, the normal egg laying rate, the individual egg weight, the daily egg weight, the feed intake, the feed conversion rate and the soft/broken egg rate were calculated in the same manner as in Test Example 3. Tables 35 shows the results. Composition 32 Composition 33 Control Normal egg laying rate (%) 87.8 88.8 87.3 Individual egg weight (g) 59.3 59.1 59.6 Daily egg weight (g) 52.1 52.5 52.0 Feed intake (g) 100.0 99.8 100.8 Feed conversion rate (%) 1.92 1.90 1.94 Soft/broken egg rate (%) 2.2 2.0 2.2 As Table 35 shows, the nourishing compositions 32 and 33 for animals according to the present invention each elevated the normal egg laying ratio and the daily egg weight and lowered the soft/broken egg ratio, compared with the control. TEST EXAMPLE 13 Layers aged 9 weeks were divided into 2 groups each having 1,000 birds and fed with a common feed for 3 days from the day of debeaking. During this period, the nourishing composition 34 obtained in Example 13 and water (as a control) were given to the birds. The average body weight and the number of dead birds of each group measured at the initiation of the test and at the age of 10, 11 and 12 weeks. Thus the raising rate was calculated in the same manner as in Test Example 2. Table 36 shows the results. Composition 34 Control No. of dead birds 7 12 Raising rate (%) 99.3 98.8 Body weight at the age of 9 weeks (g) 694 710 Body weight at the age of 10 weeks (g) 728 719 Body weight at the age of 11 weeks (g) 812 771 Body weight at the age of 12 weeks (g) 919 867 Body weight gain (g) 225 157 As Table 36 shows, the nourishing composition 34 for animals according to the present invention decreased the number of dead birds and elevated the raising rate, compared with the control. TEST EXAMPLE 14 Layers aged 16 weeks were divided into 2 groups each having 1,000 birds and infectious coryza vaccine was given to each bird by intramuscular injection in a predetermined dose. For 3 days from the vaccination, the nourishing composition 35 obtained in Example 14 and water (as a control) were given to the birds. The average body weight and the number of dead birds were measured at the initiation of the test (at the age of 16 weeks) and at the age of 17 and 18 weeks. Thus the raising rate was calculated in the same manner as in Test Example 2. Table 37 shows the results. Composition 35 Control No. of dead birds 4 6 Raising rate (%) 99.6 99.4 Body weight at the age of 16 weeks (g) 1215 1220 Body weight at the age of 17 weeks (g) 1240 1235 Body weight at the age of 18 weeks (g) 1320 1300 Body weight gain (g) 105 80 As Table 37 shows, the nourishing composition 35 for animals according to the present invention decreased the number of dead birds and elevated the raising rate, compared with the control. The present invention provides a nourishing composition for animals which can improve the nutritional conditions etc. of animals when administered together with drinking water.

Claims: Use of dextrin having a degree of polymerisation from 5 to 25 and a mixture of amino acids having a particle size of from 1.0 to 500 µm for preparing a nourishing composition which does not undergo aminocarbonylation between sugars and amino acids upon formulation into an aqueous solution, said nourishing composition being useful in prevention of body weight loss and reduction in mortality of animals. The use of claim 1, wherein the animal is layer, broiler or pig. A solid nourishing composition which is obtainable by mixing a) dextrin having a degree of polymerisation from 5 to 25, with b) a mixture of amino acids having a particle size of from 1.0 to 500 µm; which solid nourishing composition does not undergo aminocarbonylation between sugars and amino acids upon formulation into an aqueous solution. The solid nourishing composition as claimed in claim 3, which comprises lysine, methionine, tryptophan, threonine and glycine. The solid nourishing composition as claimed in claim 3, which comprises lysine having a particle size of from 1.0 to 500 µm, methionine having a particle size of from 1.0 to 200 µm, tryptophan having a particle size of from 1.0 to 200 µm, threonine having a particle size of from 1.0 to 500 µm, or glycine having a particle size of from 1.0 to 500 µm. The solid nourishing composition as claimed in claim 4 or 5, containing additional components selected from dissolution aids, dispersing agents, stabilizers, preservatives, antibiotics, antioxidants, proteinous materials, organic acids, vitamins, minerals, ethyl alcohol, colorants and perfumes. An aqueous nourishing composition for animals which aqueous composition does not undergo aminocarbonylation between sugars and amino acids, and which is obtainable by dissolving a solid nourishing composition of claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 in water or an aqueous solution containing an organic solvent which exerts no undesirable effects on animals. The aqueous nourishing composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the amount of dextrin ranges from 0.001 to 0.8% by weight. A method of nourishing an animal which method comprises dissolving a solid nourishing composition as defined in claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 in water or an aqueous solution containing an organic solvent which exerts no undesirable effects on animals, and feeding the animal the resulting aqueous composition as a drink. A method of nourishing an animal which method comprises feeding the animal with an aqueous nourishing composition as claimed in claim 7 or 8.

Inventors: MORISHITA KOJI, NAKASUGI SHIGERU, SHIMADA KENJIRO, MORISHITA, KOJI, NAKASUGI, SHIGERU, SHIMADA, KENJIRO
Applicants: KYOWA HAKKO KOGYO KK, KYOWA HAKKO KOGYO CO., LTD.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A23K1
IPC codes: A23K1